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    Xigera Safari Lodge

    Okavango Delta, Botswana

    A luxury safari lodge in Botswana's Okavango Delta

    The story of Xigera Safari Lodge is one of renewal. Of rebirth and family legacy, and of the pioneering spirit that drives us to seek out Africa’s wild spaces. The same spirit that inspired this remarkable reimagining, perhaps a complete reinvention, of an Okavango Delta safari. This is Xigera (pronounced ‘kee-jera’), named for the Pied Kingfisher that makes its home amid the watery channels of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve. Every aspect is handcrafted to beguile our guests’ senses and stir their souls – from the evocative interiors to one-of-a-kind encounters. But Xigera is equally a line in the sand. A raising of the bar. A bold statement in the realm of luxury safaris in Botswana, and an Okavango Delta safari experience like no other.

    Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard Background

    The wines of Bouchard Finlayson

    Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir

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    Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak wine bottle with its tasting notes in a box

    Galpin Peak Pinot Poir

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    Hannibal

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    Missionvale Chardonnay

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    Crocodile's Lair / “Kaaimansgat” Chardonnay

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    Sans Barrique Chardonnay

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    Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard Background

    Sauvignon Blanc

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    New Cellar

    Aurum Straw Wine

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    Blanc de Mer

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    Bouchard Finlayson Farm
    Wine Barrel Illustration

    Winemaking heritage

    The Bouchard Finlayson cellar is conveniently located a scenic 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, close to the world-famous whale-watching centre of Hermanus. Where tradition meets innovation Bouchard Finlayson is both a family affair, and a place of collaboration. A labour of love that sees the marriage of Old World winemaking heritage with New World innovation.

    The estate was established in South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde valley in 1989, a ground-breaking partnership between acclaimed Burgundian winemaker Paul Bouchard and trailblazing local winemaker Peter Finlayson. With a shared passion for Pinot Noir, they transformed the valley’s virgin soil into vineyard, and laid the foundations for the cellar of Bouchard Finlayson. In 2000 the Tollman family purchased the estate, realising a long-held dream to own a vineyard in Africa.

    Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard Background

    Tradition meets innovation

    Bouchard Finlayson Grape Picking

    A piece of heaven

    The Bouchard Finlayson estate stretches across 125 hectares of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. However, only 25 hectares is cultivated under vine with the remainder set aside as a conservancy to protect the indigenous ‘fynbos’ vegetation endemic to the Western Cape.

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    A sustainable future

    From monitoring the water and energy consumption across the estate, to constant innovation in our vineyards and cellar, Bouchard Finlayson is on a journey to ensuring every step of the winemaking process is built on a foundation of future-focused sustainability. Notably, through the use of modern fining and settling agents, the majority of wines in the Bouchard Finlayson portfolio are now 100% vegan-friendly.

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    A vision for the future

    While inspired by the winemaking traditions of Burgundy, Bouchard Finlayson keeps a keen eye on the future. Under winemaker Chris Albrecht the cellar is in a process of constant evolution, as we refine our viticultural and cellar practices to ensure Bouchard Finlayson stays at the forefront of premium wine production in South Africa and the spirit of collaboration that founded the estate continues to this day.

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    WWF-SA Conservation Champion

    Bouchard Finlayson is proud to be a WWF-SA Conservation Champion. Conservation Champion wine farms pursue long-term conservation commitments and spearhead innovations in water and energy sufficiency.

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